Definition & Meaning of "F clef"

What is an "F clef"?

An F clef, also known as a bass clef, is a musical symbol used at the beginning of the staff to indicate that the note F is located on the fourth line from the bottom. It is commonly used for lower-pitched music and is often found in scores for instruments like the bassoon, trombone, and piano's left hand, as well as for lower vocal ranges. The F clef helps musicians read and interpret pitches accurately by marking the position of F and establishing the pitch of other notes on the staff.